A magical Bali

I landed on Bali, Indonesia, at around 5 p.m., just as the sun was about to set. Eagerly, I looked out the window and felt my heart melt as the sea and sky blended into a gentle orange-yellow hue, with clouds drifting lazily towards the horizon. Bali welcomed us with such a tender and romantic scene.

With an area of ​​5,633 square kilometers, Bali is quite large to explore completely in just a few days. Therefore, we decided to visit only a few places, and of course, we didn't forget to choose spots to watch the most beautiful sunset.

That evening, my wife and I strolled along Legian Street—Bali's most vibrant and bustling street. We stopped at a roadside stall, where the enthusiastic juice vendor chatted with us and pointed out beautiful places to visit during our short stay.

The people of Bali are predominantly Hindu, so the architecture here, especially the ancient temples, exudes an irresistible mystique. Being an architect by profession, my husband was quickly captivated by the surrounding scenery. Enthralled by the exploration and photography everywhere, we eventually set off for Uluwatu Temple in the afternoon to capture this magnificent moment of nature.

Perched precariously on a rocky outcrop overlooking the sea, Uluwatu is one of the six most sacred temples on the island of Bali. It is dedicated to Acintya, the supreme deity of Hinduism in Indonesia. In the fading light of the setting sun, the temple takes on an even more mystical aura.

Following the path from the foot of the mountain, gradually climbing up to the temple at the top, we stopped at a cliff that, in my opinion, would be a beautiful spot to watch the sunset. At that moment, the sky and the sea were bathed in warm, amber-colored orange and yellow hues, blending together as the stage, with the round, fiery red sun as the main actor. Until the last rays of sunlight faded into the deep sea, the "stage" had closed, and I and all the other tourists around me gasped in amazement at nature's incredibly impressive performance.

The following day, we visited Garuda Wisnu Kencana Cultural Park, the Sacred Monkey Forest, Dreamland Beach, Ubud Market, and several temples as guided by our driver. In the late afternoon, we decided to once again enjoy the spectacular sunset, fulfilling our long-held wish, and Tanah Lot Temple was our chosen destination.

Tanah Lot is one of the sacred temples with unique architecture in Bali. The temple sits on a large rock outcrop, and during the day, when the tide is high, it appears to be submerged in the vast expanse of water. Arriving in the afternoon when the tide is low, we easily walked across the rocks to reach the base of the temple.

Tanah Lot is only for believers who wish to pray inside, so we only visited the outside and waited for the sun to set. On the moss-covered rocks, I stood gazing at the deep sea, listening to the gentle lapping of the waves. Many people come here to wait for the last moments of the day's sunset. Everyone moves close to the water's edge to get the best view of the sunset.

Then the sun gradually changed color, the light fading, and Tanah Lot temple was now just outlines in the golden-red light of the sunset. The sky softened, layers of clouds danced around, and the graceful sun slowly sank below the water's surface. At this moment, I felt a sparkling joy in my heart as I immersed myself in this magnificent natural scene. Bali, with its ancient, sacred, and mysterious charm, truly left me with unforgettable impressions.

Bali, with its ancient, sacred, and mysterious charm, truly left an unforgettable impression on me.

Everyone who sets foot on this beautiful island retains their own unique impressions. It could be the sacredness emanating from the people's reverence for the gods, or the majestic and captivating tropical scenery with its white sand, blue sea, and mountains… For me, Bali is the gentle sunset that reminds me of the dress of a Spanish woman dancing Flamenco. There, the colors and rhythms blend so enchantingly that it's impossible not to fall in love.

Additional information

Trip:Currently, there are no direct flights from Vietnam to Bali. You will need to transit through Singapore, Malaysia, or fly to Jakarta (the capital of Indonesia) and then take a domestic flight to Bali. There are many airlines to choose from, such as AirAsia, Tiger Air, Singapore Airlines, and Malaysia Airlines.

To save time, you should choose the earliest flight of the day, then take a connecting flight. If all goes well, you will land in Bali in the late afternoon and have time to rest in the evening.

Weather:The weather in Bali is typically hot and dry year-round. Essential items to bring include sunscreen, hats, sunglasses, etc., to protect your body.

Experience:Bali has many spas with incredibly affordable prices and a wide variety of massage and treatment packages to choose from. You should try a spa here to experience relaxation, comfort, and shed all your physical and mental fatigue. Spas are springing up like mushrooms along bustling streets like Legian, so you can walk around until your feet ache and stop to relax anywhere.

Present:In Bali, you should buy handicrafts as souvenirs. Decorative handicrafts here are very inexpensive (usually only around 20,000-200,000 VND per item depending on the type) but are highly artistic and aesthetically pleasing. You should ask taxi drivers or tour guides about where you can buy these items; they will take you to centers that specialize in selling a wide variety at the best prices.

Cuisine:Local food in Bali is usually hot, spicy, and full of flavor, like curry. If you're not used to it, you can choose Western food like pizza, burgers, pasta, etc. Or you can bring some snacks from Vietnam like shredded pork floss.

Expense:

• For a short trip (4-5 days), with a budget of around 13 million VND per person, couples can absolutely have an unforgettable trip to Bali.
• Flight tickets: you can find cheap flights from airlines like Tiger Air, AirAsia, Vietjet, Jetstar…
• 2-3 star hotel rooms or homestays in Bali cost only around 400,000-600,000 VND per night, depending on the location.
• For couples seeking a more luxurious experience, resorts in the Ubud area are a good option. The Ubud Hanging Garden resort is famous for its suspended infinity pools offering stunning views of the tropical rainforest. Alternatively, you can rent a private villa in Seminayak for a romantic and private experience. Resort and villa prices in Bali are comparable to, or slightly higher than, similar resorts in Vietnam.

Other experiences for couples to have a wonderful holiday in Bali, according to Carolyn W, Wedding Planner from Malaysia, who has extensive experience organizing weddings in Bali:

• Dinner at Jimbaran Beach: This is a popular spot for couples to enjoy a romantic dinner at sunset. Having dinner right on the beach with fresh seafood under the setting sun is the main purpose for most couples visiting this beach.

• Bathing in the sacred waters of Tirta Empul Temple: The temple, whose English name is Holy Spring Water, is one of the most important temples in Balinese religious beliefs. The water from this temple is believed to be sacred, capable of cleansing evil spirits, bringing clarity of mind and soul, and bringing good fortune.
• Romantic Spa is a MUST-VISIT destination for couples. Enjoy dinner at Paddy Field, experience a Sunset Cruise, take wedding photos in traditional Balinese attire, stroll along the beach, and sample cocktails at a cliffside bar. Visit the art village and learn traditional Balinese dances.
• Bali offers a harmonious blend of local and international cuisine. All you need to consider is whether your stomach is big enough to try it all.
• Restaurants that couples should visit: Fusion tapas at Cuca Jimbaran, Original Naughty Nuris waroang (roadside shop) in Ubud, Babi Guling (grilled pork) Sari Kembar in Denpasar, Fish soup at Warung Mak Beng, Sanur.
• Satay Lilit, Fried Tempe, Bebek Betutu, Gado-Gado, Nasi Campur,... Balinese street food is also very interesting.

There are many resorts in Bali suitable for weddings, however, it largely depends on the wedding concept of the couple.

Banyan Tree Ungasan

Kayumanis Nusa Dua

Bvrlgari Uluwatu

• Cliffside/Coastal Wedding: Bvrlgari Uluwatu, Karma Kandara, Uluwatu, Banyan Tree Ungasan
• Beachside wedding: Kayumanis Nusa Dua, The St. Regis Nusa Dua, Belmond Jimbaran,
• Church weddings: Tirtha Luhur Uluwatu, The Ritual Bali Uluwatu, Noah Chapel Ungasan
• Garden wedding: Alila Seminyak, The Ritz Carlton Nusa Dua, Taman Bhagawan Nusa Dua
• Weddings at Villa: Villa Infinity Canggu, Omah Padi Ubud, Ombak Luwung Canggu, Karang Putih Estate Ungasan

These are some unique locations, eco resorts/boutique hotels suitable for honeymoons that couples can consider:

• Sharma Spring Bamboo House, Ubud
• Mara River Safari Lodge, Gianyar
• Firefly Eco Lodge, Kabupaten Gianyar
• Villa Pererepan, Ubud
• Sandat Glamping Tent, Ubud

I know Vietnam is famous for its delicious coffee, but you should definitely try Balinese coffee when you visit. The flavor might not be as strong as Vietnamese coffee, but it's gentler and lingers for a long time. This is something I never miss when I go to Bali. Balinese snacks like pisang goreng (fried plantains) and grilled corn with chili powder are also very interesting and worth trying.

Things I usually buy when I go to Bali are Kou (Ubud), bread toppings (fruit jam, caramel, etc.), handmade soap, Balinese coffee, sarongs and pants at Sukawati Market, and spices and nuts at Krishna Market.

Bali has so much to share, so much to talk about. It's a fantastic island for everyone, from young people to middle-aged travelers. I took my parents and aunt (65-74 years old) to Bali two years ago. They loved the trip and adored the place.

If you're planning a trip to Bali, let me know. I'll introduce you to my friend Mr. Putu (a reasonably priced driver in Bali) to help you. He helped us with our wedding and he has a very good reputation in the profession.

Text and photos: Kim Dung

The Thanh